Wireless control of a passenger service unit

ABSTRACT

A method for controlling a passenger service unit includes transmitting, by the passenger service unit, an electromagnetic (EM) signal that is receivable by a personal device of a passenger. The EM signal includes identification information of the passenger service unit. The method also includes receiving a control message by the passenger service unit. The control message includes an identification of one or more selected devices of the passenger service unit and a control input for the selected device. The method also includes controlling operation of the one or more selected devices of the passenger service unit in response to receiving the control message and based on the control input.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______(Attorney Docket No. 19-1632-US-NP[2]), entitled “Wireless Control of aPassenger Service Unit Using a Personal Device of a Passenger,” filedthe same date as the present application and incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD

The subject disclosure relates to a passenger service unit onboard anaircraft and more particularly to wireless control of a passengerservice unit.

BACKGROUND

Most current wide-body passenger aircraft, such as for example,passenger twin aisle aircraft use in-flight entertainment (IFE) tocontrol reading lights and attendant call devices. However, aspassengers bring more smart devices on to the aircraft, some airlinesare streaming IFE content directly to passenger personal devices andeliminating the in-seat IFE controls. The reading light and attendantcall functions remain in the passenger service unit (PSU) above eachseat. The passenger service units on such aircraft, particularlytwin-aisle aircraft, may be out of reach of most seated passengers,especially in a center seating area. Additionally, some known passengeraircraft have the option to delete the center bins, and instead installa fairing with the center PSU mounted above the reaching height of afifth percentile female, meaning a portion of the population may not beable to reach the PSU even when standing.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an example, a method for controlling a passengerservice unit includes transmitting, by a passenger service unit, anelectromagnetic (EM) signal that is receivable by a personal device of apassenger. The EM signal comprises identification information of thepassenger service unit. The method also includes receiving a controlmessage, by the passenger service unit. The control message includes anidentification of one or more selected devices of the passenger serviceunit and a control input for each of the one or more selected devices.The method additionally includes controlling operation of each of theone or more selected devices of the passenger service unit in responseto receiving the control message and based on the control input for eachof the one or more selected devices.

In accordance with another example, a system for controlling a passengerservice unit includes a processor and a memory associated with theprocessor. The memory includes computer-readable program instructionsthat, when executed by the processor causes the processor to perform aset of functions. The set of functions include transmitting, by apassenger service unit, an electromagnetic (EM) signal that isreceivable by a personal device of a passenger. The EM signal includesidentification information of the passenger service unit. The set offunctions additionally include receiving a control message, by thepassenger service unit. The control message includes an identificationof one or more selected devices of the passenger service unit and acontrol input for each of the one or more selected devices. The set offunctions additionally include controlling operation of the one or moreselected devices of the passenger service unit in response to receivingthe control message and based on the control input for each selecteddevice.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereintransmitting the EM signal includes transmitting a visible lightcommunication (VLC) signal that is receivable by an optical sensor ofthe personal device.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereintransmitting the EM signal includes using pulse-width modulation (PWM)in the EM signal to define the identification information of thepassenger service unit to the personal device of the passenger.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinusing the PWM includes cycling a light of the passenger service unit onand off at a PWM rate that is faster than a human eye can detect.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereintransmitting the EM signal includes transmitting multiple EM signals tothe personal device. The multiple EM signals are used to triangulate alocation of the personal device to pair the personal device with aparticular passenger service unit.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinreceiving the control message includes receiving the control message inresponse to the one or more selected devices of the passenger serviceunit being selected by the passenger in a graphical user interfacepresented by a display of the personal device for controlling operationof the one or more selected devices of the passenger service unit.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinreceiving the control message includes receiving the control messagefrom a cabin network control system in response to the cabin networkcontrol system receiving a wireless message from the personal device forcontrolling the one or more selected devices of the passenger serviceunit. The wireless message includes the identification information ofthe passenger service unit, the identification of the one or moreselected devices of the passenger service unit to be controlled, and thecontrol input for each of the one or more selected devices of thepassenger service unit.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinreceiving the control message includes receiving a wireless controlmessage from the personal device of the passenger, the controllingoperation of the one or more selected devices is in response to thewireless control message.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinreceiving the wireless control message includes receiving a visiblelight communication (VLC) control message by an optical sensor of thepassenger service unit.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinreceiving the VLC control message includes using pulse-width modulationto transmit the identification of the one or more selected devices andthe control input for each of the one or more selected devices.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereincontrolling operation of the one or more selected devices of thepassenger service unit includes controlling at least one of a light, anattendant call device, or an airflow control device.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, apassenger service unit includes an electromagnetic (EM) transmitterconfigured to transmit an EM signal that is receivable by a personaldevice of a passenger. The EM signal includes identification informationof the passenger service unit. The passenger service unit also includesa plurality of devices, wherein the passenger service unit is configuredto receive a control message. The control message includes anidentification of one or more selected devices of the plurality ofdevices of the passenger service unit and a control input for each ofthe one or more selected devices. The one or more selected devices ofthe passenger service unit are controlled in response to the controlmessage being received and based on the control input for each selecteddevice.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinthe EM transmitter is configured to transmit a visible lightcommunication (VLC) signal as the EM signal. The VLC signal beingreceivable by an optical sensor of the personal device.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinthe EM transmitter is configured to transmit the EM signal usingpulse-width modulation in the EM signal to define the identificationinformation of the passenger service unit to the personal device of thepassenger.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinthe passenger service unit further includes a passenger service moduleconfigured to receive the control message from a cabin network controlsystem in response to the cabin network control system receiving awireless message from the personal device of the passenger. The wirelessmessage includes the identification of the passenger service unit, theidentification of the one or more selected devices of the passengerservice unit to be controlled, and the control input for each of the oneor more selected device.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinthe passenger service unit further includes a wireless receiverconfigured to receive a wireless control message from the personaldevice of the passenger. The wireless control message includes theidentification of the one or more selected devices of the passengerservice unit to be controlled and the control input for each of the oneor more selected devices.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinthe wireless receiver includes an optical sensor configured to receive aVLC control message as the wireless control message from an opticaltransmitter of the personal device.

In accordance with an example and any of the preceding examples, whereinthe wireless receiver is configured to receive the wireless controlmessage from a transceiver of the personal device.

The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can beachieved independently in various examples or may be combined in yetother examples further details of which can be seen with reference tothe following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view an example of a fuselage of a passengeraircraft in accordance with an example of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block schematic diagram of an example a system forcontrolling a passenger service unit of the fuselage of FIG. 1, inaccordance with an example of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block schematic diagram of an example of a system forcontrolling a passenger service unit of the fuselage of FIG. 1, inaccordance with another example of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example of a graphical user interface(GUI) for controlling a passenger service unit of FIGS. 1 to 3, inaccordance with an example of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 5 is flow chart of an example of a method for controlling apassenger service unit of FIGS. 1 to 3 that may use the GUI of FIG. 4,in accordance with some examples of the subject disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments described herein can enable a passenger on an aircraftto control a passenger service unit (PSU) remotely while seated. Thesystems and method described herein allow the passenger to interact withthe passenger service unit without directly contacting the passengerservice unit. Accordingly, the passenger can operate a passenger serviceunit that is out of reach while seated or standing. As will be describedin more detail herein, the system uses electromagnetic signals, such asVisible Light Communication (VLC) signals, to transmit identificationinformation of a passenger service unit to a personal device of apassenger. The electromagnetic signals or VLC signals may usepulse-width modulation to define the identification information of thepassenger service unit. The identification information can be receivedby an optical sensor, such as a camera of the personal device, e.g.,passenger's smartphone, tablet computer, etc. The passenger's personaldevice includes application software provided by an airline or aircraftmanufacture. The application software of the personal device uses theidentification information to pair the personal device with a particularpassenger service and to control the devices of the passenger serviceunit, such as a reading light, airflow control device, attendant calldevice, or other devices.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view an example of a fuselage 100 of apassenger aircraft 102 in accordance with an example of the subjectdisclosure. The exemplary passenger aircraft 102 is a wide-body aircraftthat includes a center section 104 of seats 106 defined between aisles108 and 110. As illustrated in the example in FIG. 1, a passengerservice unit 112 is beyond the average arm reach of a passenger 114seated in one of the seats 106 of the center section 104. The subjectdisclosure describes examples of a system 116 and method 500 forcontrolling devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 without thepassenger 114 having to unbuckle her seat belt and stand. The exemplarysystem 116 and method 500 are also usable for controlling the devices118 of the passenger service unit 112 in situations where the passenger114 can reach the passenger service unit 112 without standing, forexample in the outside sections 120 and 122 of seats 106, or in othersituations where there may be difficulty in reaching any overheaddevices, such as devices 118. Examples of the devices 118 of thepassenger service unit 112 include, but are not necessarily limited to,a light 124, an airflow control device 126, and an attendant call device128. The light 124 is useable for reading or other purposes by thepassenger 114.

The system 116 for controlling the passenger service unit 112 includes aprocessor 136 and a memory 138 associated with the processor 136. In theexample in FIG. 1, the processor 136 and the memory 138 reside in thepassenger service unit 112. As described in more detail herein, thememory 138 includes computer-readable program instructions that, whenexecuted by the processor 136 causes the processor 136 to perform a setof functions or a method. An example of a method 500 performed at leastpartially by the system 116 will be described in more detail withreference to FIG. 5.

In some examples, such as the exemplary system 116 a in FIG. 2, apersonal device 130 of the passenger 114 is configured to wirelesslycommunicate with a cabin network control system 132 for controlling thedevices 118 of the passenger service unit 112. In other examples, suchas the exemplary system 116 b in FIG. 3, the personal device 130 isconfigured to wirelessly communicate with the passenger service unit 112b for controlling the devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 b.In the exemplary system 116 b in FIG. 3, the passenger service unit 112b includes a wireless receiver 134 for receiving a wireless controlmessage 302 or 308 from the personal device 130 of the passenger 114 forcontrolling one or more of the devices 118. Examples of the personaldevice 130 include but are not necessarily limited to a smartphone,tablet computer, laptop computer with a camera or any opticalsensor-enabled personal device.

FIG. 2 is a block schematic diagram of an example of a system 116 a forcontrolling a passenger service unit 112 a of the fuselage of FIG. 1, inaccordance with an example of the subject disclosure. In some examples,the system 116 a is used for the system 116 in FIG. 1 and the passengerservice unit 112 a is used for the passenger service unit 112 in FIG. 1.The passenger service unit 112 a is an example of a passenger serviceunit 112 that is used in an aircraft that includes a cabin networkcontrol system 132 and the passenger service unit 112 a is not equippedwith a wireless receiver for receiving wireless or EM signals.Accordingly, one of the uses or benefits of the exemplary system 116 ais that the system 116 a is implementable in an aircraft having a cabinnetwork control system 132 and the passenger service unit 112 a is notequipped with a wireless receiver. The system 116 a includes a processor136 and a memory 138 associated with the processor 136. In the examplein FIG. 2, the processor 136 and the memory 138 reside in the passengerservice unit 112 a. The memory 138 includes computer-readable programinstructions 202 that, when executed by the processor 136 causes theprocessor 136 to perform a method or set of functions 204. An example ofthe method or the set of functions 204 will be described in more detailwith reference to FIG. 5 as operations or steps of the method 500performed by the passenger service unit 112 a. In some examples, the setof functions 204 include transmitting, by a passenger service unit 112a, an electromagnetic (EM) signal 206 that is receivable by a personaldevice 130 of a passenger 114. The EM signal 206 includes identificationinformation 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a. The set offunctions 204 also include receiving a control message 208, by thepassenger service unit 112 a. The control message 208 includes anidentification of one or more selected devices 118 of the passengerservice unit 112 a and a control input for each of the one or moreselected devices 118. The set of functions 204 additionally includecontrolling operation of the one or more selected devices 118 of thepassenger service unit 112 a in response to receiving the controlmessage 208 and based on the control input for each selected device 118.

In the example in FIG. 2, the passenger service unit 112 a includes apassenger service module 210. The passenger service module 210 includesthe processor 136 and the memory 138. The passenger service module 210is configured to receive the control message 208 from a cabin networkcontrol system 132 in response to the cabin network control system 132receiving a wireless message 212 from the personal device 130 of thepassenger 114. The wireless message 212 includes the identification ofthe passenger service unit 112 a, the identification of the one or moreselected devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 a, and thecontrol input for each of the one or more selected devices 118.

The cabin network control system 132 includes a processor 214 forperforming operations by the cabin network control system 132. The cabinnetwork control system 132 or processor 214 is configured to transmitthe control message 208 to the passenger service unit 112 a or passengerservice module 210 in response to receiving the wireless message 212from the personal device 130. The cabin network control system 132 alsoincludes a receiver 216 for receiving the wireless message 212 from thepersonal device 130. In some examples, the receiver 216 is a transceiverthat can transmit and receive wireless signals.

The passenger service unit 112 a also includes an electromagnetic (EM)transmitter 218 configured to transmit the EM signal 206 that isreceivable by the personal device 130 of the passenger 114. Aspreviously described, the EM signal 206 includes identificationinformation 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a. In some examples,the EM transmitter 218 is configured to transmit a visible lightcommunication (VLC) signal as the EM signal 206. The VLC signal isreceivable by an optical sensor 220 of the personal device 130. In someexamples, the EM transmitter 218 is configured to transmit the EM signal206 using pulse-width modulation in the EM signal 206 to define theidentification information 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a tothe personal device 130 of the passenger 114.

As previously described, the passenger service unit 112 a includes aplurality of devices 118. The passenger service unit 112 a is configuredto receive a control message 208. The control message 208 includes anidentification of one or more selected devices 118 of the plurality ofdevices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 a and a control input foreach of the one or more selected devices 118. The one or more selecteddevices 118 are controlled in response to the control message 208 beingreceived and based on the control input for each selected device 118.

In the example in FIG. 2, the system 116 a also includes the personaldevice 130. The personal device 130 is configured to control a passengerservice unit 112 a. The personal device 130 includes a processor 222 anda memory 224 associated with the processor 222. The memory 224 includescomputer-readable program instructions 226 that, when executed by theprocessor 222 causes the processor 222 to perform a method or set offunctions 228. An example of the method or the set of functions 228 aredescribed with reference to FIG. 5 as steps of the method 500 beingperformed by the personal device 130. In some examples, the set offunctions 228 include receiving, by a personal device 130 of a passenger114, an electromagnetic (EM) signal 206. The EM signal 206 includesidentification information 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a. Inthe example in FIG. 2, the PSU identification information 230 is storedin the memory 224 of the personal device 130. The set of functions 228also include transmitting, by the personal device 130 of the passenger114, a wireless message 212 or wireless control message 302 or 308 (FIG.3) for controlling operation of one or more selected devices 118 of thepassenger service unit 112 a. The wireless message 212 or a wirelesscontrol message 302 or 308 includes an identification of the one or moreselected devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 a and a controlinput for each of the one or more selected devices 118.

The personal device 130 configured to control a passenger service unit112 also includes a passenger service unit (PSU) control application 232operating on the personal device 130 of a passenger 114. In someexamples, the PSU control application 232 is embodied in the set offunctions 228 and performs the operations or method steps described withreference to FIG. 5 as steps of the method 500 being performed by thepersonal device 130. The personal device 130 additionally includes anelectromagnetic (EM) receiver 234, a transmitter 244 and a display 238.The transmitter 244 is either the wireless transmitter 236 or thetransceiver 242 of the personal device 130 as described in more detailherein. The PSU control application 232 is configured to control the EMreceiver 234 of the personal device 130 to receive an EM signal 206 fromthe passenger service unit 112 a. As previously described, the EM signal206 includes identification information 230 of the passenger serviceunit 112 a. The PSU control application 232 is also configured tocontrol the transmitter 244 of the personal device 130 to transmit amessage 212 for controlling operation of one or more selected devices118 of the passenger service unit 112 a. As previously described, themessage 212 includes an identification of the one or more selecteddevices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 a and a control input foreach of the one or more selected devices 118.

In some examples, the EM receiver 234 includes an optical sensor 220 ora camera of the personal device 130 configured to receive a visiblelight communication (VLC) signal as the EM signal 206. In some examples,the EM receiver 234 is configured to receive the EM signal 206 usingpulse-width modulation in the EM signal 206 to define the identificationinformation 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a.

In some examples, the PSU control application 232 is further configuredto control the EM receiver 234 of the personal device 130 to receivemultiple EM signals 206 from the passenger service unit 112 a. The PSUcontrol application 232 uses the multiple EM signals 206 to triangulatea location of the personal device 130 to pair the personal device 130 toa particular passenger service unit 112 a as described in more detailwith reference to FIG. 5.

In the example in FIG. 2, the transmitter 244 is the transceiver 242 ofthe personal device 130. The PSU control application 232 is furtherconfigured to control the transceiver 242 of the personal device 130 totransmit a wireless message 212 to the cabin network control system 132for controlling operation of the one or more selected devices 118 of thepassenger service unit 112 a. The wireless message 212 includes theidentification information 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a, theidentification of the one or more selected devices 118 of the passengerservice unit 112 a to be controlled, and the control input for each ofthe one or more selected devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112a. As previously described, the cabin network control system 132 isconfigured to transmit a control message 208 to the passenger serviceunit 112 a in response to the wireless message 212 from the personaldevice 130. The control message 208 includes the identificationinformation 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a, the identificationof the one or more selected devices 118 of the passenger service unit112 a, and the control input for each of the one or more selecteddevices 118.

In an example as described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3, thetransmitter 244 is a wireless transmitter 236 of the personal device130. In this example, the PSU control application 232 is furtherconfigured to control the wireless transmitter 236 of the personaldevice 130 to transmit a wireless control message 302 to the passengerservice unit 112 b to control operation of the one or more selecteddevices 118. The wireless control message 302 includes theidentification of the one or more selected devices 118 of the passengerservice unit 112 b and the control input for each of the one or moreselected devices 118. In some examples, the wireless transmitter 236 isconfigured to transmit the wireless control message 302 as a visiblelight communication (VLC) control message being receivable by an opticalsensor 306 of the passenger service unit 112 b.

The PSU control application 232 is further configured to control thedisplay 238 of the personal device 130 to present a graphical userinterface (GUI) 246 on the display 238 to allow a particular device 118or devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 a to be selected by thepassenger 114 for controlling operation of the particular device 118 ordevices 118. The particular device 118 or devices 118 of the passengerservice unit 112 a represented in the graphical user interface 246 forselection by the passenger 114 include at least one of a light 124, anairflow control device 126, and an attendant call device 128. An exampleof a graphical user interface 246 will be described in more detail withreference to FIG. 4. In some examples, the display 238 is a touchscreentype display that allows the user to enter information by touching thescreen with a finger, stylus or other apparatus. In other examples, thepersonal device 130 includes or also includes a keypad or keyboard (notshown) as known in the art for selecting or entering information in acomputer device.

FIG. 3 is a block schematic diagram of an example of a system 116 b forcontrolling a passenger service unit 112 b of the fuselage of FIG. 1, inaccordance with another example of the subject disclosure. In someexamples, the system 116 b is used for the system 116 in FIG. 1 and thepassenger service unit 112 b is used for the passenger service unit 112in FIG. 1. The personal device 130 is the same as the personal device130 described with reference to FIG. 2. The passenger service unit 112 bis an example of a standalone passenger service unit 112 b. Accordingly,one of the uses or benefits of the system 116 b is that the system 116 bis implementable in aircraft without a cabin network control system 132.

The system 116 b includes a processor 136 and a memory 138 associatedwith the processor 136 that are the same as the system 116 a in FIG. 2.In the example in FIG. 3, the passenger service unit 112 b includes apassenger service unit (PSU) controller 304 that is configured tocontrol operation of the passenger service unit 112 b as describedherein. The processor 136 and memory 138 of the system 116 b arecomponents of the PSU controller 304. The memory 138 includescomputer-readable program instructions 202 that, when executed by theprocessor 136 causes the processor 136 to perform a set of functions 204that are the same as those described with respect to the system 116 a inFIG. 2. An example of the set of functions 204 will be described in moredetail with reference to FIG. 5 as operations or steps of the method 500performed by the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b.

The passenger service unit 112 b also includes an EM transmitter 218, anairflow control device 126 and an attendant call device 128 that are thesame as the passenger service unit 112 a. The EM transmitter 218 ofpassenger service unit 112 b operates the same as the EM transmitter 218of passenger service unit 112 a described with reference to FIG. 2. Thepassenger service unit 112 b further includes a wireless receiver 134configured to receive a wireless control message 302 or 308 from thepersonal device 130 of the passenger 114. The wireless control message302 or 308 includes the identification of the one or more selecteddevices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 b to be controlled and thecontrol input for each of the one or more selected devices 118. Thewireless receiver 134 is configured to receive a wireless controlmessage 302 from the wireless transmitter 236 of the personal device 130or a wireless control message 308 from the transceiver 242 of thepersonal device 130. In some examples, the wireless receiver 134includes an optical sensor 306 configured to receive a visible lightcommunication (VLC) control message as the wireless control message 302from an optical transmitter 240 or light of the personal device 130. Thewireless transmitter 236 of the personal device 130 is an opticaltransmitter 240 or light configured to transmit the wireless controlmessage 302 as a VLC control message. The VLC control message isreceivable by the optical sensor 306 of the passenger service unit 112b. In some examples, the optical transmitter 240 or light is also usedas a flash for a camera of the personal device 130. In other examples,the wireless receiver 134 is configured to receive a wireless controlmessage 308 from the transceiver 242 of the personal device 130.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example of a graphical user interface(GUI) 246 for controlling the one or more selected devices 118 (FIGS.1-3) of a passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b in accordance with anexample of the subject disclosure. As previously described, the PSUcontrol application 232 (FIGS. 2-3) is configured to control the display238 of the personal device 130 to present the graphical user interface246 on the display 238 to allow a particular device 118 or devices 118of the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b to be selected by thepassenger 114 for controlling operation of the particular device 118 ordevices 118. The particular device 118 or devices 118 of the passengerservice unit 112 a or 112 b represented in the graphical user interface246 for selection by the passenger 114 include at least one of a light124, for example a reading light, an airflow control device 126, and anattendant call device 128. In the example in FIG. 4, the GUI 246includes a first feature 402 a or button to select the light 124 and toenter a control input 404 a to control operation of the light 124.Examples of the control input 404 a for the light 124 include on, off,or a setting for dimming the light 124.

The GUI 246 also includes a second feature 402 b or button to select theairflow control device 126 and to enter a control input 404 b to controloperation of the airflow control device 126. Examples of the controlinput 404 b for the airflow control device 126 include but are notnecessarily limited to velocity or volume of the airflow and atemperature of the airflow.

The GUI 246 also includes a third feature 402 c or button to select theattendant call device 128 and to enter a control input 404 c to controloperation of the attendant call device 128. Examples of the controlinput 404 c for the attendant call device 128 include but are notnecessarily limited to calling the attendant and/or ordering aparticular service.

In some examples, the GUI 246 includes a fourth feature 402 d or buttonto select another device 118 that is a component of certain types ofpassenger service units 112. A feature to enter an input control 404 dis also associated with the fourth feature 402 d.

FIG. 5 is flow chart of an example of a method 500 for controlling apassenger service unit 112 a or 112 b of FIGS. 1 to 3 that may use theGUI of FIG. 4, in accordance with some examples of the subjectdisclosure. The exemplary method 500 is divided into operationsperformed by a personal device 130 of a passenger 114 (FIG. 1),operations or method steps performed by a cabin network control system132, if present, and operations performed by the passenger service unit(PSU) 112 a or 112 b. In some examples, the method 500 is embodied inand performed by components of the system 116, 116 a or 116 b asdescribed herein.

The method 500 includes at least transmitting 510 an EM signal 206,receiving 532 a control message 208, 302, or 308, and controlling 534operation of the passenger service unit (PSU) 112 a or 112 b. In analternative embodiment, the method 500 includes at least receiving 512an EM signal 206 and transmitting 522 a message 212, 302, or 308 forcontrolling 534 operation of the passenger service unit (PSU) 112 a or112 b.

In block 502, the method 500 includes opening or activating a PSUcontrol application 232 on a personal device 130 by an action of a useror passenger 114. As previously described, examples of the personaldevice 130 include but are not necessarily limited to a smartphone,tablet computer, laptop computer with a camera, or any opticalsensor-enabled personal device.

In block 504, the method 500 includes activating a process, by the PSUcontrol application 232, to pair the personal device 130 of thepassenger 114 to the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b associatedwith the location of the personal device 130 which corresponds to theseat 106 of the passenger 114.

In block 506, the method 500 also includes activating an electromagnetic(EM) receiver 234 of the personal device 130, by the PSU controlapplication 232, to receive an EM signal 206 from the passenger serviceunit 112 a or 112 b to pair the personal device 130 to the passengerservice unit 112 a or 112 b associated with the location or seat 106 ofthe passenger 114. As previously described, the PSU control application232 is configured to control the EM receiver 234 of the personal device130 to receive the EM signal 206 from the passenger service unit 112 aor 112 b. The EM signal 206 includes identification information 230 ofthe passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b. In some examples, the EMreceiver 314 is an optical sensor 220, e.g., camera of a smartphone,tablet, laptop computer, etc.

In block 508, the method 500 includes activating an EM transmitter 218of the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b to transmit the EM signal206 that is receivable by the EM receiver 234 of the personal device 130of the passenger 114. In some examples, the EM transmitter 218 isactivated by the passenger service module 210 (FIG. 2) or PSU controller304 (FIG. 3) in response to an input from a flight crew member. Forexample, the flight crew member enters an input into the cabin networkcontrol system 132 or other cabin control mechanism, and the cabinnetwork control system 132 or cabin control mechanism causes thepassenger service module 210 or PSU controller 304 to activate the EMtransmitter 218.

In block 510, the method 500 includes transmitting, by the passengerservice unit 112 a or 112 b, an electromagnetic (EM) signal 206 that isreceivable by the personal device 130 of the passenger 114. The EMsignal 206 includes identification information 230 of the passengerservice unit 112 a or 112 b. The identification information 230 is usedto pair the personal device 130 of the passenger 114 to the passengerservice unit 112 a or 112 b associated with the location of the personaldevice 130 or the seat 106 of the passenger 114. The EM signal 206 istransmitted by the EM transmitter 218 of the passenger service unit 112a or 112 b to the EM receiver 234 of the personal device 130.

In some examples, as previously described, the EM transmitter 218 is alight 124 of the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b. Accordingly,transmitting the EM signal 206 includes transmitting a visible lightcommunication (VLC) signal that is receivable by an optical sensor 220of the personal device 130. Visible light communication is also referredto as light fidelity (LiFi). The VLC signal includes the identificationinformation 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b to pair thepersonal device 130 with the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 bassociated with the seat 106 of the passenger 114.

In some examples, transmitting the EM signal 206 includes usingpulse-width modulation (PWM) in the EM signal 206 to define theidentification information 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a or112 b to the personal device 130 of the passenger 114. Using the PWMincludes cycling a light, such as the light 124, of the passengerservice unit 112 a or 112 b on and off at a PWM rate that is faster thana human eye can detect. A PWM rate for VLC communications is less thanabout one millisecond or faster. A PWM rate that is noticeable to thehuman eye is about 16 milliseconds or slower. The visible portion of theEM spectrum includes wavelengths between about 450 nanometers and about850 nanometers. However, an EM transmitter 218 and corresponding EMreceiver 234 operating in different portions of the EM spectrum are alsouseable.

In some examples, transmitting the EM signal 206 in block 510 includestransmitting multiple EM signals 206 or VLC signals to the personaldevice 130. The multiple EM signals 206 are used by the personal device130 to triangulate a location of the personal device 130 to pair thepersonal device 130 with a particular passenger service unit 112 a or112 b. Each of the multiple EM signals 206 includes the identificationinformation 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b.

In block 512, the method 500 includes receiving, by a personal device130 of the passenger 114, the electromagnetic (EM) signal 206. Aspreviously described, the EM signal 206 includes identificationinformation 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b. Theidentification information 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a or112 b is used to pair the personal device 130 with a particularpassenger service unit 112 a or 112 b associated with the location ofthe personal device 130 or the seat 106 of the passenger 114.

In some examples, as previously described, receiving the EM signal 206by the personal device includes receiving a VLC signal that isreceivable by the optical sensor 220 of the personal device 130.

In some examples, receiving the EM signal includes using pulse-widthmodulation (PWM) in the EM signal 206 to define the identificationinformation 230 of the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b.

In some examples, the method 500 in block 512 includes receivingmultiple EM signals 206 transmitted by the passenger service unit 112 aand 112 b. In block 514, the method 500 also includes using the multipleEM signals 206 to triangulate a location of the personal device 130,based on relative signal strength of the multiple EM signals 206, topair the personal device 130 with a particular passenger service unit112 a or 112 b. As previously described, the personal device 130 of thepassenger 114 includes a passenger service unit (PSU) controlapplication 232 configured to pair the personal device 130 with theparticular passenger service unit 112 a and 112 b using the multiple EMsignals 206 and based on the identification information 230 of thepassenger service unit 112 a or 112 b. The PSU control application 232pairs the personal device 130 with the particular passenger service unit112 a and 112 b based on the relative signal strength of the multiple EMsignals 206.

In block 516, the identification information 230 of the passengerservice unit 112 a and 112 b paired with the personal device 130 isstored in a memory 224 of the personal device 130. In some examples, asdescribed herein, a wireless message 212 transmitted to the cabinnetwork control system 132 includes the identification information 230of the passenger service unit 112 a for controlling one or more selecteddevices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 a.

In block 518, the method 500 includes presenting a graphical userinterface (GUI) 246 for selecting one or more device 118 of thepassenger service unit 112 a or 112 b to be controlled, and for enter acontrol input 404 a-404 d for each of the one or more selected devices118. As previously described, the PSU control application 232 isconfigured to control the display 238 of the personal device 130 topresent the GUI 246 on the display 238 to allow a particular device ordevices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b to be selectedby the passenger 114 for controlling operation of the particular deviceor devices 118.

In block 520, the method 500 includes receiving a selection of one ormore devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 d to becontrolled and a control input for each of the one or more selecteddevices 118. The one or more selected devices 118 and the control inputfor each of the one or more selected devices 118 are received by thepersonal device 130 from the passenger 114 via the GUI 246.

In block 522, the method 500 includes transmitting a message forcontrolling operation of the one or more selected devices 118 of thepassenger service unit 112 a or 112 b. The message includes at least anidentification of the one or more selected devices 118 of the passengerservice unit 112 a or 112 b and a control input 404 a-404 d for each ofthe one or more selected devices 118.

In some examples and where the aircraft includes a cabin network controlsystem 132 and/or the passenger service unit 112 does not include awireless receiver 134, e.g., passenger service unit 112 a, the method500 or PSU control application 232 performs the operation in block 524.In block 524, transmitting the message includes transmitting a wirelessmessage 212 to a cabin network control system 132 for controlling theone or more selected devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 a.The wireless message 212 includes the identification information 230 ofthe passenger service unit 112 a, the identification of the one or moreselected devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 a to becontrolled, and the control input 404 a-404 d for each of the one ormore selected devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 a. The cabinnetwork control system 132 is configured to transmit (block 528) acontrol message 208 to the passenger service unit 112 a in response toreceiving (block 526) the wireless message 212. The control message 208includes the identification information 230 of the passenger serviceunit 112 a, the identification of the one or more selected devices 118of the passenger service unit 112 a to be controlled, and the controlinput 404 a-404 d for each of the one or more selected devices 118.

In some examples, where the passenger service unit includes a wirelessreceiver 134, e.g., passenger service unit 112 b, the method 500 or PSUcontrol application 232 performs the operation in block 530. In block530, transmitting the message includes transmitting a wireless controlmessage 302 or 308 from the personal device 130 of the passenger 114 tothe passenger service unit 112 b to control operation of the one or moreselected devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 b in response tothe wireless control message 302 or 308. In some examples, as previouslydescribed, the personal device 130 includes a wireless transmitter 236that transmits the wireless control message 302 to the passenger serviceunit 112 b. The PSU control application 232 is configured to control thewireless transmitter 236 of the personal device 130 to transmit thewireless control message 302 to the passenger service unit 112 b tocontrol operation of the one or more selected devices 118. The wirelesscontrol message 302 includes the identification of the one or moreselected devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 b and the controlinput 404 a-404 d for each of the one or more selected devices 118. ThePSU control application 232 is configured to control transmitting eitherthe wireless message 212 to the cabin network control system 132, ortransmitting the wireless control message 302 or 308 to the passengerservice unit 112 a or 112 b based on capabilities of systems on aparticular aircraft and/or preference of an airline.

In some examples, transmitting the wireless control message 302 includestransmitting a VLC control message from the personal device 130 to thepassenger service unit 112 b. In these examples, the wirelesstransmitter 236 is an optical transmitter 240 configured to transmit thewireless control message 302 as a VLC control message that is receivableby an optical sensor 306 of the passenger service unit 112 b.

In other examples, the transceiver 242 of the personal device 130transmits a wireless control message 308 to the wireless receiver 134 ofthe passenger service unit 112 b. The PSU control application 232 isconfigured to control the transceiver 242 of the personal device 130 totransmit the wireless control message 308 to the passenger service unit112 b to control operation of the one or more selected devices 118. Thewireless control message 308 includes the identification of the one ormore selected devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 b to becontrolled and the control input 404 a-404 d for each of the one or moreselected devices 118.

In block 532, the method 500 includes receiving a control message 208,302 or 308, by the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b. The controlmessage 208, 302 or 308 includes an identification of the one or moreselected devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 a or 112 b and acontrol input 404 a-404 d for each of the one or more selected devices118. In examples where the aircraft includes a cabin network controlsystem 132 and/or the passenger service unit 112 a (FIG. 2) does notinclude a wireless receiver 134, the passenger service unit 112 areceives a control message 208 from the cabin network control system132. In examples where the aircraft does not include a cabin networkcontrol system 132 and/or the passenger service unit 112 b includes awireless receiver 134, the wireless receiver 134 of the passengerservice unit 112 b receives a wireless control message 302 from awireless transmitter 236 of the personal device 130, or the wirelessreceiver 134 receives a wireless control message 308 from a transceiver242 of the personal device 130. In examples where the wireless receiver134 of the passenger service unit 112 b is an optical sensor 306, theoptical sensor 306 receives a VLC control message 302 from an opticaltransmitter 240 of the personal device 130.

In block 534, the method 500 includes controlling operation of each ofthe one or more selected devices 118 of the passenger service unit 112 aor 112 b in response to receiving the control message 208, 302 or 308and based on the control input 404 a-404 d for each of the one or moreselected devices.

Further, the disclosure comprises examples according to the followingclauses:

Clause 1. A method for controlling a passenger service unit, the methodcomprising:

-   -   transmitting, by a passenger service unit, an electromagnetic        (EM) signal that is receivable by a personal device of a        passenger, wherein the EM signal comprises identification        information of the passenger service unit;    -   receiving a control message, by the passenger service unit, the        control message comprising an identification of one or more        selected devices of the passenger service unit and a control        input for each of the one or more selected devices; and    -   controlling operation of each of the one or more selected        devices of the passenger service unit in response to receiving        the control message and based on the control input for each of        the one or more selected devices.

Clause 2. The method of clause 1, wherein transmitting the EM signalcomprises transmitting a visible light communication (VLC) signal thatis receivable by an optical sensor of the personal device.

Clause 3. The method of any of clauses 1 or 2, wherein transmitting theEM signal comprises using pulse-width modulation (PWM) in the EM signalto define the identification information of the passenger service unitto the personal device of the passenger.

Clause 4. The method of any of clauses 1-2, or 3, wherein using the PWMcomprises cycling a light of the passenger service unit on and off at aPWM rate that is faster than a human eye can detect.

Clause 5. The method of any of clauses 1-3, or 4, wherein transmittingthe EM signal comprises transmitting multiple EM signals to the personaldevice, the multiple EM signals being used to triangulate a location ofthe personal device to pair the personal device with a particularpassenger service unit.

Clause 6. The method of any of clauses 1-4, or 5, wherein receiving thecontrol message comprises receiving the control message in response tothe one or more selected devices of the passenger service unit beingselected by the passenger in a graphical user interface presented by adisplay of the personal device for controlling operation of the one ormore selected devices of the passenger service unit.

Clause 7. The method of any of clauses 1-5, or 6, wherein receiving thecontrol message comprises receiving the control message from a cabinnetwork control system in response to the cabin network control systemreceiving a wireless message from the personal device for controllingthe one or more selected devices of the passenger service unit, thewireless message comprising the identification information of thepassenger service unit, the identification of the one or more selecteddevices of the passenger service unit to be controlled, and the controlinput for each of the one or more selected devices of the passengerservice unit.

Clause 8. The method of any of clauses 1-6, or 7, wherein receiving thecontrol message comprises receiving a wireless control message from thepersonal device of the passenger, the controlling operation of the oneor more selected devices is in response to the wireless control message.

Clause 9. The method of any of clauses 1-7, or 8, wherein receiving thewireless control message comprises receiving a visible lightcommunication (VLC) control message by an optical sensor of thepassenger service unit.

Clause 10. The method of any of clauses 1-7, or 8, wherein receiving theVLC control message comprises using pulse-width modulation to transmitthe identification of the one or more selected devices and the controlinput for each of the one or more selected devices.

Clause 11. The method of any of clauses 1-9, or 10, wherein controllingoperation of the one or more selected devices of the passenger serviceunit comprises controlling at least one of a light, an attendant calldevice, or an airflow control device.

Clause 12. A system for controlling a passenger service unit, the systemcomprising:

-   -   a processor; and    -   a memory associated with the processor, the memory comprising        computer-readable program instructions that, when executed by        the processor causes the processor to perform the method of any        of clauses 1-10, or 11.

Clause 13. A system for controlling a passenger service unit, the systemcomprising:

-   -   a processor; and    -   a memory associated with the processor, the memory comprising        computer-readable program instructions that, when executed by        the processor causes the processor to perform a set of functions        comprising:    -   transmitting, by a passenger service unit, an electromagnetic        (EM) signal that is receivable by a personal device of a        passenger, wherein the EM signal comprises identification        information of the passenger service unit;    -   receiving a control message, by the passenger service unit, the        control message comprising an identification of one or more        selected devices of the passenger service unit and a control        input for each of the one or more selected devices; and    -   controlling operation of the one or more selected devices of the        passenger service unit in response to receiving the control        message and based on the control input for each selected device.

Clause 14. A passenger service unit, comprising:

-   -   an electromagnetic (EM) transmitter configured to transmit an EM        signal that is receivable by a personal device of a passenger,        wherein the EM signal comprises identification information of        the passenger service unit; and    -   a plurality of devices, wherein the passenger service unit is        configured to receive a control message, the control message        comprising an identification of one or more selected devices of        the plurality of devices of the passenger service unit and a        control input for each of the one or more selected devices, the        one or more selected devices of the passenger service unit being        controlled in response to the control message being received and        based on the control input for each selected device.

Clause 15. The passenger service unit of clause 14, wherein the EMtransmitter is configured to transmit a visible light communication(VLC) signal as the EM signal, the VLC signal being receivable by anoptical sensor of the personal device.

Clause 16. The passenger service unit of any of clauses 14 or 15,wherein the EM transmitter is configured to transmit the EM signal usingpulse-width modulation in the EM signal to define the identificationinformation of the passenger service unit to the personal device of thepassenger.

Clause 17. The passenger service unit of any of clauses 14-15, or 16,further comprising a passenger service module configured to receive thecontrol message from a cabin network control system in response to thecabin network control system receiving a wireless message from thepersonal device of the passenger, the wireless message comprising theidentification of the passenger service unit, the identification of theone or more selected devices of the passenger service unit to becontrolled, and the control input for each of the one or more selecteddevices.

Clause 18. The passenger service unit of any of clauses 14-16, or 17,further comprising a wireless receiver configured to receive a wirelesscontrol message from the personal device of the passenger, wherein thewireless control message comprises the identification of the one or moreselected devices of the passenger service unit to be controlled and thecontrol input for each of the one or more selected devices.

Clause 19. The passenger service unit of any of clauses 14-17, or 18,wherein the wireless receiver comprises an optical sensor configured toreceive a VLC control message as the wireless control message from anoptical transmitter of the personal device.

Clause 20. The passenger service unit of any of clauses 14-18, or 19,wherein the wireless receiver is configured to receive the wirelesscontrol message from a transceiver of the personal device.

The subject disclosure may be a system 116, a method 500, and/or acomputer program product. In some examples, the set of functions 204 and228 are embodied on a computer program product, such as memory 138 or204 or other computer program product as described herein. The computerprogram product may include a computer-readable storage medium (ormedia) having computer-readable program instructions thereon for causinga processor to carry out aspects of the subject disclosure.

The computer-readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer-readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer-readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer-readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from acomputer-readable storage medium or to an external computer or externalstorage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local areanetwork, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network maycomprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers,wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computersand/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer-readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer-readable programinstructions for storage in a computer-readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer-readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe subject disclosure may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. In some examples,electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logiccircuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logicarrays (PLA) may execute the computer-readable program instructions byutilizing state information of the computer-readable programinstructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order toperform aspects of the subject disclosure.

Aspects of the subject disclosure are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to examples of thedisclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer-readable program instructions.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousexamples of the subject disclosure. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexamples only and is not intended to be limiting of examples of thedisclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“include,” “includes,” “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used inthis specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present examples has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to examples in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of examples.

Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein,those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that any arrangement whichis calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for thespecific examples shown and that the examples have other applications inother environments. This application is intended to cover anyadaptations or variations. The following claims are in no way intendedto limit the scope of examples of the disclosure to the specificexamples described herein.

1. A method for controlling a passenger service unit, the methodcomprising: transmitting, by a passenger service unit, anelectromagnetic (EM) signal that is receivable by a personal device of apassenger, wherein the EM signal comprises identification information ofthe passenger service unit, wherein the personal device comprises amobile personal device of the passenger; receiving a control message, bythe passenger service unit directly from the mobile personal devicewithout going through a cabin network control system, the controlmessage comprising an identification of one or more selected devices ofthe passenger service unit and a control input for each of the one ormore selected devices, wherein the passenger service unit comprises aprocessor and a plurality of different types of devices and wherein theone or more selected devices are selected from the plurality ofdifferent types of devices; and controlling, by the processor of thepassenger service unit, operation of each of the one or more selecteddevices of the passenger service unit in response to receiving thecontrol message and based on the control input for each of the one ormore selected devices.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein transmittingthe EM signal comprises transmitting a visible light communication (VLC)signal that is receivable by an optical sensor of the personal device.3. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the EM signal comprisesusing pulse-width modulation (PWM) in the EM signal to define theidentification information of the passenger service unit to the personaldevice of the passenger.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein using the PWMcomprises cycling a light of the passenger service unit on and off at aPWM rate that is faster than a human eye can detect.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein transmitting the EM signal comprises transmittingmultiple EM signals to the personal device from a multiplicity ofpassenger service units, the multiple EM signals being used totriangulate a location of the personal device to pair the personaldevice with a particular passenger service unit.
 6. The method of claim1, wherein receiving the control message comprises receiving the controlmessage in response to the one or more selected devices of the passengerservice unit being selected by the passenger in a graphical userinterface presented by a display of the personal device for controllingoperation of the one or more selected devices of the passenger serviceunit.
 7. (canceled)
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving thecontrol message comprises receiving a wireless control message from thepersonal device of the passenger, the controlling operation of the oneor more selected devices is in response to the wireless control message.9. The method of claim 8, wherein receiving the wireless control messagecomprises receiving a visible light communication (VLC) control messageby an optical sensor of the passenger service unit.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein receiving the VLC control message comprises receivingthe identification of the one or more selected devices and the controlinput for each of the one or more selected devices which weretransmitted using pulse-width modulation.
 11. The method of claim 1,wherein controlling operation of the one or more selected devices of thepassenger service unit comprises controlling at least one of a light, anattendant call device, or an airflow control device.
 12. A system forcontrolling the passenger service unit, the system comprising: theprocessor, wherein the passenger service unit comprises the processor;and a memory associated with the processor, the memory comprisingcomputer-readable program instructions that, when executed by theprocessor causes the processor to perform the method of claim
 1. 13. Asystem for controlling a passenger service unit, the system comprising:a processor, wherein the passenger service unit comprises the processor;and a memory associated with the processor, the memory comprisingcomputer-readable program instructions that, when executed by theprocessor causes the processor to perform a set of functions comprising:transmitting, by the passenger service unit, an electromagnetic (EM)signal that is receivable by a personal device of a passenger, whereinthe EM signal comprises identification information of the passengerservice unit, wherein the personal device comprises a mobile personaldevice; receiving a control message, by the passenger service unitdirectly from the mobile personal device without going through a cabinnetwork control system, the control message comprising an identificationof one or more selected devices of the passenger service unit and acontrol input for each of the one or more selected devices, wherein thepassenger service unit comprises a plurality of different types ofdevices and wherein the one or more selected devices are selected fromthe plurality of different types of devices; and controlling, by theprocessor of the passenger service unit, operation of the one or moreselected devices of the passenger service unit in response to receivingthe control message and based on the control input for each selecteddevice.
 14. A passenger service unit, comprising: a processor; anelectromagnetic (EM) transmitter configured to transmit an EM signalthat is receivable by a personal device of a passenger, wherein the EMsignal comprises identification information of the passenger serviceunit, wherein the personal device comprises a mobile personal device;and a plurality of different types of devices, wherein the passengerservice unit is configured to receive a control message directly fromthe mobile personal device without going through a cabin network controlsystem, the control message comprising an identification of one or moreselected devices of the plurality of different types of devices of thepassenger service unit and a control input for each of the one or moreselected devices, the one or more selected devices of the passengerservice unit being controlled, by the processor, in response to thecontrol message being received and based on the control input for eachselected device.
 15. The passenger service unit of claim 14, wherein theEM transmitter is configured to transmit a visible light communication(VLC) signal as the EM signal, the VLC signal being receivable by anoptical sensor of the personal device.
 16. The passenger service unit ofclaim 14, wherein the EM transmitter is configured to transmit the EMsignal using pulse-width modulation in the EM signal to define theidentification information of the passenger service unit to the personaldevice of the passenger.
 17. (canceled)
 18. The passenger service unitof claim 14, further comprising a wireless receiver configured toreceive a wireless control message from the personal device of thepassenger, wherein the wireless control message comprises theidentification of the one or more selected devices of the passengerservice unit to be controlled and the control input for each of the oneor more selected devices.
 19. The passenger service unit of claim 18,wherein the wireless receiver comprises an optical sensor configured toreceive a VLC control message as the wireless control message from anoptical transmitter of the personal device.
 20. The passenger serviceunit of claim 18, wherein the wireless receiver is configured to receivethe wireless control message from a transceiver of the personal device.21. The passenger service unit of claim 14, further comprising awireless receiver configured to receive a radio frequency controlmessage from a transceiver of the mobile personal device, wherein theradio frequency control message comprises the identification of the oneor more selected devices of the passenger service unit to be controlledand the control input for each of the one or more selected devices. 22.The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the control message comprisesreceiving a radio frequency control message by a wireless receiver froma transceiver of the mobile personal device, wherein the radio frequencycontrol message comprises the identification of the one or more selecteddevices of the passenger service unit to be controlled and the controlinput for each of the one or more selected devices.